Syllea ran the brush through the elegant steed’s coat. It was one of Eogar’s; ever since his land had been attacked by orcs they had been taking care of the horses and other animals in different locations until everything was restored. She hadn’t been feeling great lately, due to her “becoming one with the moon” as her papa called it. Thanks to her grandmother, Gwawrr, it was more durable, but she still struggled with keeping her attitude in check. It seemed no medicine could help that.
As Syl groomed the steed, one of the farm boys strode up to her. She never got along with any of the boys and didn’t even know any of their names. She had no intention of acknowledging the boy, not feeling up to a fight, but the boy had other plans.
“Hey Syllea,” He said with a smirk.
“What do you want?” She asked calmly, but with a trace of annoyance.
“I wanted to ask you a question. No need to be so unkind about it.”
Syllea sighed, “Fine. What is your question?”
The boy smirked again, “Do you think the man that killed your parents will ever come for you?”
Anger flashed across her face, and she turned to stare at the boy. He took a step back from her, a moment of fear passed across his face until he quickly recovered. “Why would you ask such a vile question?” She spat.
The boy took a step towards her, standing up taller. He was a good six to seven inches taller than her, but she was always to beat him in a fight. “Because I think a lot of people would be happy by your disappearance. Fewer mouths to feed for your family for one; a family that isn’t even yours, to begin with. Then there’s us,” He indicated to the farm boys working on other tasks, “We don’t fancy you Syllea.”
Syllea felt like she had been punched in the gut. She stared at him with pure hatred, in response he took a step towards her and leaned down towards her face. She gagged as his hot breath blew into her face as he spoke again, “I think everyone would be a lot happier if you and you’re messed up fake parents left us all.”
The mention of her father and papa pushed Syllea too far and she quickly threw her fist into his face. A loud crack sounded as she broke his nose. Blood went all over the dress Syl was wearing and the boy’s clothes. “Why you little b-“ he didn’t finish speaking before he was lunging at Syllea.
Syllea fought back, throwing punches and kicks faster than he could react. The boy looked about to give up when suddenly three more of the farm boys rushed over, ganging up against the teenage girl. They threw her to the ground and one boy pinned her; she couldn’t move. The other three began kicking her right side over and over and over. She clenched her teeth, refusing to give them the satisfaction of her crying. Syllea managed to turn over so they wouldn’t be able to get at her other side, trying to limit the damage.
“Where’s your protective family now huh?” the boy holding her down asked, his spittle landing on her face.
Syllea suddenly regretted pleading for her guard, Lynn, to help out with the tasks Eogar needed. Lynn was nowhere in sight. Syl clenched her fists, praying the kicking would end soon, but it didn’t. She could neither move nor sit up. The boy holding her down had made it impossible for her to fight back.
A loud crack sounded as one boy’s foot connected again with her side. A blood-curdling scream escaped from Syllea’s lips. The boys stopped kicking, seeming shocked as Syl screamed, then they ran.
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Lynn looked up from the pile of wood she had been carrying for Eogar as soon as she heard a girl’s scream. She dropped the wood and ran to the sound of the screaming.
Lynn found the girl in front of a stable of horses, kneeling on the ground. Her left hand cradled her right side. “Syllea, what happened?” the young woman asked, dropping down next to the girl.
Syllea shook her head, looking away from Lynn. She seemed ashamed to be found in the way she was.
“It was the boys again wasn’t it?” She asked, anger flooding her voice.
Syl shook her head. Of course, no matter what the girl would not rat the boys out. Lynn went to look at what damage had been done, but as she touched Syllea’s side she screamed again. “Don’t touch it!” She hissed, cradling her side again.
In one swift movement, Lynn had the girl in her arms and was carrying her into a more private place. She helped Syllea out of her dress, which was quite difficult for any time the dress grazed Syllea’s side she cussed, hissed, and screamed. Once the dress was removed Lynn gasped.
“That bad?” Syl asked, clearly forcing amusement into her voice.
Lynn shrugged, playing along, “Could be worse. At least your face is as pretty as always.” On the girl's side, a large bruise was forming. It covered her whole right side. It also seemed to be swelling, but Lynn wasn’t sure.
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Syllea looked to her side as Lynn gasped. It was a gruesome sight; she had never had a bruise this bad before.
“You may have some broken bones Syllea.” Lynn began, “We should get you to a doctor.”
Syllea shook her head, “It only hurts to touch, it’s just a bruise.” Lynn frowned at her, but she pretended to ignore it. “Just get me to the estate so I can get some different clothes.”
Lynn looked about to argue but decided not to push the subject further for now.
Once they made it to the estate, Syllea dragged herself inside, her left hand carefully wrapped around her right side. It was clear she was favoring the left side of her body for she walked with most of her weight on the left. Lynn helped the girl change into a shirt and some pants.
“I am going to have to tell your parents about the boys,” Lynn said, as she bent down to put the girl's boots on. It was too much of an effort for Syl to lean forward and do them herself.
“It wasn’t them, so I don’t know what you will tell them,” she said calmly and cooly, though the physical pain she was experiencing was evident in her strained voice.
Lynn frowned to herself, knowing this was a lost cause. She would figure something out.
